Close to 8,000 spectators turned out for the action-packed program last year. With close to 20 events being contested this weekend, festival officials are expecting the spectator count to reach the 9,000-10,000 level.

The power wheelchair soccer exhibition, which begins at noon, is a sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users.

On the marquee list for Sunday's Muay Thai competition is Chase Walden, the current U.S. 165-pound champion and ranked third in the world.

Entries are still being taken for the various events. Those interested should call 728-5314.

Admission is $10 for a one-day pass, $17 for the weekend, and free for children 10 and under with a paying adult.

During the festival, a free expo will be held in the main concourse in front of the convention center's exhibition halls. The public will have the opportunity to speak with local sports clubs, health representatives and doctors specializing in sports medicine.

Gymnastics

The Level 9's for World Class Gymnastics made a strong showing at the IGI Chicago Style Meet in Illinois, finishing in third place in the team standings.

The national-caliber meet, with multiple sessions to accommodate the huge field, was held Friday through Sunday.

Lily Olson, competing in the 13-and-under age group, led the 7's by winning bars (9.525), tying for first on floor (9.550) and placing second in the all-around (36.375) in her session.

Other top performances came from Taylor LeMoal with a first on floor (9.5) in the 16-and-over class; Hannah Mahanes, 14-15s, second on bars (8.875) and second in the AA (34.850); Athena Gibson, 13U, tie for second on vault (9.0); and Jessica Myers, 16-and-over, third in AA (35.8).

The Level 7's had several standouts. Melinda Anselmo, in the 12-year-old class, headed the group by taking firsts on beam (9.650) and in the AA (36.9). Lyssa Garber, in the same class, finished first on vault (9.6) and floor (9.475).

For those 13-and-over, Liah Holmes took titles on vault (9.4) and floor (9.525), and second in the AA (36.825).

On Level 10, Angela Durkac was tops on bars (9.250) in her session for ages 17-and-over and teammate Brooke Evans placed second in the AA (35.575). In the 10-16 age group, Taylor Harrison finished second on bars (9.125).

On Level 8 for ages 14-and-over, Kristen Williamson placed first on floor (9.5).

In the Level 10/elite competition for those 17-and-over, Rebekah Conrad finished eighth in the AA (36.875) and Kiera Brown ninth (36.8).

Bowling

Dustin Weymouth-German of Newport News and the Century Lanes II team of Dennis VanCamp, Daniel Hilling, David Brownell and Dennis Cooper came up big winners in the 60th annual Virginia Peninsula USBC Open Championship Tournament after three weekends of play that ended Feb. 4-5 at Century Lanes.

Weymouth-German finished first in the scratch singles with a 747 series, placed second in handicap singles (814), took second place in the all-events scratch (1,978), and tied for the second-highest game (299).

The handicap singles title went to Gregg Tschupp of Hampton with an 817. He also shot a 299 scratch game.

Century Lanes II pulled off a double by winning the scratch team title (2,623) and handicap team championship (2,921).

High scratch-game honors went to Jeff Franklin of Hampton with his first 300 game. He also placed second in the all-events handicap (2,349).

Other top winners included Robert Crum and Tyler Selden of Langley AFB in scratch doubles (1,333); Joshua Derr and Joseph Satterfield of Newport News in handicap doubles ( 1,519); Maurice Turner of Carrollton in all-events handicap (2,350); and Brownell of Newport News in all-events scratch (1,980).

On deck is the VPUSBC Women's City Tournament at the Fort Eustis Lanes on the weekends of Feb. 25-26 and March 3-4 and 10-11. Entries for the event close on Thursday.

Golf

The Yorktown duo of Jim Gallagher and Brian Jeltema shot a 6-under 66 to tie for first place in the Tidewater Golfweek Amateur Winter Tour better-ball tournament at the Kiskiack Golf Club on Feb. 4.

The tour's defending champs, Tony Mauro and Jeff Hawkins, also carded a 66. The team of Ron Sullins of Yorktown and Michael Murphee tied for third with a 69.

With one tournament remaining, Mauro and Hawkins are on top in the points race with 1,188 and Sullins and Murphee are second at 1,118.